News

Cape Cod, Mass. - Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Commissioner Rudy Keeling is pleased to announce that the conference continues to be a leader in athletics administration and has implemented several cost saving initiatives that will benefit the entire membership and the conference during these difficult economic times.

"We have examined every area of our operation during this economic downturn, and our staff has been resourceful in finding ways to reduce expenses, streamline operations, and increase revenues. We have implemented several new programs and initiatives during this period that will benefit both our membership and the ECAC," said Keeling.

Officiating
In officiating, the ECAC has made two significant moves. In March of this year, Commissioner Keeling announced that officiating game/contest fees will not increase in the 2009-2010 athletic year and will remain the same as the fees paid during the current 2008-2009 year. In light of the projected budget cuts that every athletic department is facing, coupled with the protracted economic downturn for the foreseeable future, this is the ECAC's way of demonstrating its assistance and support to the institutions enrolled in our 12 officiating bureaus. Secondly, the ECAC is one of six recipients of a Division III Strategic Alliance Matching Grant from the NCAA. The grant will be used to create a new position, Director of Division III Governance and Officiating. The Strategic Alliance Matching Grant provides funding for Division III institutions and conference offices seeking to create full-time professional administrative opportunities for minorities and women, and to enhance diversity and inclusion within their athletics administrative staffs. Each Division III institution and conference office that was selected to receive a matching grant will be funded for three years, with diminishing contributions by the NCAA. The NCAA will fund 75 percent of the position during the first year, 50 percent the second year, and 25 percent during the third year. 

Marketing
In marketing, the ECAC has eliminated a full-time staff position and contracted with an outside firm, Eident Sports Marketing of Providence, R.I. This has resulted in a cost savings for the conference and numerous additional sponsorship agreements which will benefit the entire membership. In the past four months, partnership agreements have been struck with Avis Budget Group, Combat Sports Inc., K&K Insurance, Nevco, Inc., Northwest Designs, OAI, Inc., and Sherbrook SBK Hockey. Renewal agreements have also been enacted for All Worldwide Travel, Anaconda Sports, Tarkett Sports and Robbins Sport Surfaces. Several enhancements from these agreements have already become available to the membership. Avis Budget offers ECAC members a discount on car rentals with a special ECAC code. Combat and Sherbrook SBK offer special purchasing programs to ECAC schools on hockey and goaltending equipment, and Combat sponsors a programs that awards a new set of golf clubs to the coach of the year in baseball, hockey, and softball.

Championships
In championships, the ECAC has already put in place a policy to eliminate postseason events with less than four teams in the field. More efficient ordering of awards in larger quantities will also help to reduce championship costs. The staff has sought out new, more cost efficient and effective venues for certain championships, including three tennis championships, without changing the quality of the student-athlete experience. Additionally, the ECAC has been able to effectively utilize local committee members and ECAC-appointed ambassadors to serve as on-site representatives at ECAC championship events, reducing staff travel and lodging costs.  

Communications
In communications, the ECAC has eliminated printed media guides, and is reducing print quantities on game and event programs where possible.

Division III Ice Hockey Leagues
As part of the restructuring of the five ECAC Division III ice hockey leagues, the ECAC eliminated four director positions, shifting staff responsibilities and streamlining operations.

Administration
Administratively, the conference has taken several steps to cut costs and improve operations. There have been some administrative staff reductions, resulting in salary and benefit savings. The conference has taken an active role in assessing its relationship with its current vendors and renegotiating existing and expiring contracts for more favorable terms whenever possible. The ECAC switched medical plans to obtain lower rates for the staff. A switch was also made in payroll companies, producing better service and reduced costs. The ECAC's landscaping contract was put out to bid, resulting in lower property maintenance costs.

Going Green Iniatives
The ECAC has also been a leader with several Going Green initiatives. The conference instituted a recycling program, and no longer purchases paper plates, cups and plastic silverware. New energy efficient thermostats were installed throughout the building, and rain sensors were installed on the sprinkler system on the grounds. The conference now scans documents instead of copying whenever possible. Additionally, invoices are e-mailed when the situation allows and bills are paid by credit card or online when possible, saving postage costs. The ECAC also utilizes remote scanning of deposits, saving time and gas by eliminating trips to the bank.

Convention and Trade Show
At the annual ECAC Convention and Trade Show from October 4-6, the conference will offer a programming session on "Best Practices for Cost Saving Initiatives," a timely and critical topic for today's athletics administrators. The conference has also offered special lower pricing for administrators to attend this year's convention.

About the ECAC®
The ECAC is the nation's largest athletic and the only multi-divisional conference in the country with more than 300 Division I, II, and III colleges and universities. The ECAC membership covers 16 states and stretches from Maine to North Carolina and westerly to Illinois. Established in 1938, the ECAC, a non-profit service organization, sponsors nearly 100 championships in 37 men's and women's sports and assigns more than 4,400 officials in 12 sports. The ECAC also administers nine affiliate sports organizations and six playing leagues. Through the public relations arm of the conference, more than 2,500 student-athletes in 23 sports are recognized. Finally, the ECAC serves as the primary conference for select members in the sports of men's ice hockey, women's ice hockey, and men's lacrosse.